I am a Linux and Asterisk expert. I have had a chance to install LinuxMCE 3 years ago and it was too complicated back then as it needed a full server.....

1- I am wondering if things are changed or not. I am looking for a simpler appliance that controls lights, thermostat, door locks, and shades. A TV connection may not be needed. All of it to be controlled by a remote and a hand-held + iPhone, Android. Is this possible with LinuxMCE?

Thanks for the input posde. Are you saying that LinuxMCE would be an overkill for my application?

tschak909: I don't want you to do my homework, and I am ready the Wiki but it would be great to get quick price point to put this again another appliance like MiCasa to decide which one is feasible given the budget before I spend way too much time into this. Don't get me wrong, I like LinuxMCE and that is why I am here or else many other choices are out there but I would like to make it the one if possible.

In answer to your question, yes all that is possible plus more. Now, you must know that I'm a "neeeewbeee" on this site, but even being new and after reading all I have been able to you can do the requested plus more.

The advantage of going with LMCE is that you also have the ability for media (video/music), telephone (asterisk) and what ever your mind can come up with. Now being an asterisk and linux "expert" as you put it I don't think the full blown system would be a prob, but as posde was (I think) suggesting was that if you don't need media, asterisk and other things that there are more simpler ways of just controlling lights, curtains, thermostats, etc....

Most of the manufactures of lighting controls, thermostats, curtain climbers offer controllers that will control their devices. Do a google search for "home automation equipment" and you will see that.

Now to my main question for you. If in fact you are a asterisk expert, you also know that this is doable within asterisk. Controlling of the less advanced stuff like light switches, door bell monitoring and control, video surveillance can be done through asterisk and the sms module even using twitter as the access to the controllers. I've been doing it that way for a few years. I came to LMCE to go advanced by including media and having one type of controller I could depend on for all functions.

Now, I'm not for sure but from what I have seen on here I think the forum would welcome your expertise in the area of asterisk and would hope that maybe you will stick around and grow with the rest of us. I am a ACE, but even so, I can always use other peoples input for I'm not a master by any means.

None of those look like what I know about. You might want to ask a local electrician about this. Adding a motor to blinds/drapes whatever is not a LinuxMCE question per se. Once you have a motor you can control it with LinuxMCE.

None of those look like what I know about. You might want to ask a local electrician about this. Adding a motor to blinds/drapes whatever is not a LinuxMCE question per se. Once you have a motor you can control it with LinuxMCE.

Thanks for the info again. Let's say I have a motorized shade in place. How would Linux MCE control it? What is the controller unit? Do I need to run Cat5e to the shade motor? or just provide it power in control room and control it there?